Any trait that is controlled by an allele or a gene whose location is the sex chromosome is known as a sex-linked trait is. There are two sex chromosomes in humans, which are the Y chromosome and the X chromosome. When an allele on the X-chromosome determines a trait, then it is regarded as X-linked; whereas, when an allele on the Y-chromosome determines a trait, it is regarded as Y-linked. There is usually a distinct pattern in sex-linked traits; and therefore, gender is linked with some traits. Sex-linkage is where certain traits manifest as a result of gene expression in a specific sex-chromosome.
Inheritance of genes on the sex chromosomes is different between boys and girls. Due to this difference, one gender might have an advantage over the other gender. This difference arises because of the fact that males have a Y-chromosome and an X-chromosome, while females have two X chromosomes. Moreover, the Y chromosome is shorter in length and therefore has few genes, while the X chromosome has a lot of genes because it is long. The inheritance of sex-linked traits is more prevalent in males than in females because females have two copies of the genes on the X-chromosome, while males only inherit a single copy of the genes on the same chromosome. Therefore, in case a gene on the X chromosome is defective, a mail is at a higher chance of developing abnormal physiology. The female, on the other hand, may only be a carrier (Kratz, 2017).
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An example of a sex-linked trait is color blindness, which is a hereditary condition mostly inherited by males hence the condition is less prevalent in females and more prevalent in males. The genes responsible for color blindness are carried by the X chromosome. Therefore, if a female inherits a defective gene, it will be compensated by a gene from the other X chromosome. In males, however, there is no compensation. Color blindness manifests as difficulties to differentiate colors.
Reference
Kratz, R. F. (2017). Biology For Dummies . Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.
